HOW TO EVALUATE STEREO LOUDSPEAKERS FOR SOUND AND ACCURACY
It’s time to actually listen to the
loudspeakers and evaluate their
performance. Since the listening room
contributes half of what you hear,
proper evaluation and positioning
adjustment is required to ensure the
most rewarding listening experience.
A little work here will go a long way.
You want to start with a variety of
music that is mainly composed
of tunes with which you are most
familiar. Acoustics instruments and
strong vocals are preferred since they
will be the most familiar and natural to
the listener.
With the loudspeakers positioned and connected to a source, the first step is to confirm the loudspeakers are connected in-phase.
Pick a tune with a strong vocal track. At a listening position centered between both speakers, listen specifically to the music vocals
and confirm they are centered directly between the two loudspeakers. The center image should be strong enough there should be
no doubt where the image is located. You should feel as if you can reach out and touch the vocalist. If the center image is vague, or
not there at all, recheck all connections.This is an easy step, but you would be surprised how often it is overlooked!
The next step is to evaluate the loudspeakers for musical accuracy with particular attention given to low frequency performance.
This is the region (below 400Hz) that is most influenced by the speaker’s location in relation to the boundaries of the listening room.
Small changes can have a dramatic effect on the low frequency output and overall balance of the system. You’ll want to experiment
with moving the loudspeakers relative to the side and back walls of the listening room to achieve the best balance - keeping in mind
that placing the loudspeaker closer to a wall or corner will enhance bass. You want to avoid speaker locations that result in weak or
thin bass. Likewise, you want to avoid positions that make the loudspeakers sound boomy. Use a number of music tracks and try
to find a happy medium. The KLH Model Five features a 3-position balance control that you’ll probably want to experiment with at
this point. If you are experiencing particularly weak bass, setting this control to the -1.5dB or -3.0dB setting will make complimentary
acoustic changes to the loudspeaker that will help you achieve the correct overall balance more quickly.
Once you are happy with the musical balance of the system, you’ll want to experiment with the toe-in to achieve the best
imaging and soundstage. Accurate imaging and soundstage are the qualities that create the three-dimensional space around
a pair of loudspeakers. Done properly, this can really enhance your musical enjoyment. More toe-in will increase image depth
and localization; less toe-in will increase image width. You want the center image to be strong, but not at the expense of a wide
soundstage. This is best achieved by starting with loudspeakers pointed directly at the listener (strongest center-image) and slowly
splaying the speakers outward until the best combination of center image and soundstage is achieved. Again, you want to use a
variety of music.
It’s best to keep in mind that not all music will behave in exactly the same manner. You will find some variation from artist to artist,
but you should be able to find the best compromise for the types of music you listen to.
That’s it! By doing a little preparation and taking the time to experiment will result in an enjoyable and rewarding listening experience.
NOTE:
The Model Five exhibits a broad horizontal sound dispersion pattern. The sonic signature remains essentially the same
over a +/- 20° angle off the horizontal axis of the loudspeakers. As a result, the loudspeakers can be toed in or out about 20
degrees without any significant change in the direct sound from the loudspeaker arriving at the listening position. However, as
the loudspeaker toe-in is adjusted, it does affect the sound energy reflected off the side wall of the listening room which directly
effects the soundstage and ambiance.
Model Five Manual 12 pages rev 1.indd 9
Model Five Manual 12 pages rev 1.indd 9
12/9/20 10:17 AM
12/9/20 10:17 AM
